Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Sri Krishna Janmashtami
The divine appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
About This Festival
Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the appearance of Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who descended to Earth over 5,000 years ago in Mathura. Born at midnight on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada, Lord Krishna appeared to Devaki and Vasudeva in the prison cell of the tyrant Kamsa.
The Lord's appearance was not an ordinary birth - it was a divine descent. He first appeared in His four-armed Vishnu form, then transformed into an infant. His mission was to re-establish dharma, annihilate the demons, and give pleasure to His devotees.
On this most auspicious day, devotees fast until midnight when Lord Krishna appeared, decorate temples beautifully, perform abhisheka (bathing ceremony) of the deity at midnight, and celebrate with kirtan (devotional singing) throughout the day and night.
Spiritual Significance
- Celebrates the appearance of the Supreme Lord on Earth
- Marks the beginning of Krishna's divine pastimes
- Demonstrates that whenever dharma declines, the Lord appears
- Most auspicious day for spiritual advancement
- Lord appeared to give pleasure to devotees and deliver fallen souls
The Sacred Story
On the night of Janmashtami, all the guards of Kamsa fell asleep, Vasudeva's iron shackles broke free, and all the prison doors opened on their own. The Lord instructed Vasudeva to carry Him across the Yamuna to Gokula. As Vasudeva crossed the flooded Yamuna with baby Krishna in a basket, the river parted to give him way.
Spiritual Teachings
Janmashtami teaches us that the Supreme Lord descends to this world out of His causeless mercy to deliver the fallen souls. As stated in the Gita: "Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice and a predominant rise of irreligion - at that time I descend Myself."
Sacred Mantras
Krishna Janma Mantra
Krishnaya Vasudevaya Devaki Nandanaya cha | Nanda Gopa Kumaraya Govindaya Namo Namah ||
Meaning: I offer my obeisances to Govinda, the son of Vasudeva and Devaki, the darling of Nanda.